There are spaces that are able to draw you in and make you feel at ease in such an effortless manner. Perhaps it's the architectural details that give character to the space, the furniture pieces and accessories that highlight comfort and aesthetic, or the merry mix of all these elements.

A prime example of such a space is this family home found in a sprawling village south of Manila. After spending years living in a condo in the bustling Ortigas district, the owners thought it was high time for them to move into a house that would accommodate their growing children. It took a year of house hunting from one place to the next, but when they came to this house, it was undoubtedly The One. “Nung una naming nakita yung house naisip namin na ah, this is very cozy for us and convenient for our special child,” says the lady of the house. “When we saw it sabi namin, this is perfect.”

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IMAGE Jilson Tiu

Constructed in the 80s, the L-shaped house has large picture windows along its perimeter that serve to marry the exterior and interior spaces seamlessly. “We get so much natural light,” shares the owner. “Pag umuulan, hindi mo na kailangan mag aircon. Ang sarap. Parang feeling namin nasa Tagaytay kami o Baguio.”

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The couple had a clear idea of the function they needed each space to serve but was challenged in terms of design and aesthetic. Enter, interior designer Joy Ejercito. “Each family member has his or her own requirements,” the seasoned designer explains, quickly enumerating the wife’s love for cooking, the husband’s motorcycle hobby, and the eldest son’s special needs among other things. “So we took all of these into consideration.” She describes the overall design theme as Mid-century Tropical—an aesthetic that is translated across every room in the house through mid-century furniture pieces set amidst earthy tones and textures.